Brookline development projects: Where are they now?

A couple of projects in Brookline have either stalled or sputtered out since we last reported on them. Here’s a collection of a few of those developments and where they currently stand.

By Ignacio Laguarda/ilaguarda@wickedlocal.com

Wicked Local

By Ignacio Laguarda/ilaguarda@wickedlocal.com

Posted Jan. 10, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jan 10, 2013 at 10:14 AM

By Ignacio Laguarda/ilaguarda@wickedlocal.com

Posted Jan. 10, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jan 10, 2013 at 10:14 AM

Brookline

» Social News

A couple of projects in Brookline have either stalled or sputtered out since we last reported on them. Here’s a collection of a few of those developments and where they currently stand.

Old Red Cab site

The last we heard of this project, a developer was planning on bringing a mixed-use development to 111 Boylston St. The plan, proposed by GLC Development Resources, was heralded as a major improvement over the previous bid to build a four-story structure at the location, which nearby residents felt would cast an unwanted shadow on nearby White Place.

GLC eventually got permission from the town to construct a medical building on the site, but those plans fell through in December of last year because of economic reasons, said George Cole, one of the principals at GLC.

“We’re not developing that site anymore,” he said. “We have no contractual agreement on that site anymore. We have decided not to pursue development on that site.”

Cole said the market was not supporting the rents in the location, and an appeal filed by an abutter didn’t help matters for the developer. GLC was in the process of negotiating a settlement with the abutter when they decided to walk away.

Planning and Community Development Acting Director Kara Brewton said the timing just wasn’t right for the developers, who were also unable to find a tenant for the proposed building.

“We are hearing interest already from other users,” said Brewton, clarifying that the site will likely not be used as a medical center. Other uses that are allowed include residential, commercial and hotel.

2 Brookline Place

The economic downturn initially delayed this eight-story, five-level-parking medical and office complex for Children’s Hospital in 2010, but now it seems the project may be dead in the water.

Brewton said the project is “absolutely nowhere,” and may never be built, at least as the 250,000 square foot development originally proposed.

“They have a lot of money sunk into it already, and a lot of permitting, and the long-term view is that this is a great site for them, but I would be surprised if it was the same building that was permitted back in 2008,” she said.

She expects the developers to come back with a scaled-down proposal.

Another issue that takes power away from the town is the special permit extensions granted through the state’s Economic Development Act. The line item states that any project permitted between 2008 and 2012 gets an additional four years on their permit.

“It doesn’t help us put pressure on people like Children’s when their special permit that would have expired now, has another four years before it lapses. It puts off decisions,” said Brewton.

Page 2 of 2 - Mormon meetinghouse

Mum’s the word on this development, which was slated to begin construction in 2011.

The Mormon meetinghouse, which would be located at 603 Boylston St., is proposed to be a roughly 15,000-square-foot building, including a nearly 3,500-square-foot underground garage with a capacity of 155 parking spaces. The meetinghouse would be home to two existing LDS congregations totaling about 260 people.

Nonetheless, there has been little activity on the site save for the demolition of a home on the property.

Julie Berry, who represents the Boston Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, was reached for comment, but did not respond in time for the publication of this story.

In 2011, Berry said the church was building a number of meetinghouses across the country, creating a backlog.